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Medicaid, Criminal Justice Cases Start Supreme Court Term

While it's still uncertain whether the fate of the Affordable Care Act will be in the hands of the nation's top nine justices, a number of cases involving Medicaid and criminal justice could impact states.

This week marks the beginning of the U.S. Supreme Court's October term. While it's still uncertain whether the fate of the Affordable Care Act will be in the hands of the nation's top nine justices, a number of cases involving Medicaid and criminal justice could impact states. Below is a brief preview of the term's first session cases that state officials should watch closely.

Howes v. Fields and Florence v. Board of Chosen Freeholders of the County of Burlington, N.J.: The outcomes of these criminal justice cases could change the way law enforcement operates on a daily basis. In Howes, the court could redefine what "in custody" means and when police officers are required to inform people of their right to remain silent, otherwise known as their Miranda rights.

The Florence case questions whether law enforcement officials are allowed to strip search every person brought into jail -- no matter how minor the offense. The case comes after New Jersey resident Albert Florence was strip searched twice for outdated traffic violations, according to the Washington Post. The Obama administration also sided with the state on this, asserting that without the right to strip search everyone, law enforcement can't guarantee the safety of jails. Oral arguments here.

Martinez v. Ryan: In state court, criminal defendants are generally only allowed to argue that their state-appointed lawyers were inadequate after they've been convicted. The U.S. Constitution, though, gives no guarantee of a lawyer to criminal defendants post-conviction. In this case, if the justices side with Luis Mariano Martinez of Arizona, states may have to start providing free legal counsel to those already convicted as well.

The second and third sessions, starting October 31 and November 28 respectively, have more cases for states to watch. Stay tuned for more coverage on the first and subsequent sessions.